Clause 19
Finance (No. 2) Bill
2:15 pm
Mark Francois (Shadow Minister, Treasury; Rayleigh, Conservative)
I read the paragraph. It said that at one point and then it referred to what I have brought to the Committee’s attention. I do not want to be critical of the Law Society, but perhaps that is the first time ever that a lawyer has given contradictory advice. However, I am clear about what it said in the paragraph to which I referred. I appreciate that there is an argument for simplicity. Retaining the element in the Bill, in a sense complicates it because it adds a provision that would otherwise not exist. However, it is a potential safeguard, particularly for smaller businesses. I shall return to that theme in some detail in the clause stand part debate. As the element is a safeguard and will protect smaller businesses in certain circumstances, it should probably be retained. The hon. Lady said that the proposal was a probing amendment, so I do not anticipate a Division. However, if there were one, she could probably guess the outcome.